Mole Creek Tourism Association Newsletter No 1
It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to update you on recent developments and upcoming events in this, our first, Mole Creek Tourism Association Newsletter.
Important meeting - Thursday, 16 July 2009
At our first meeting on the 21st of May, we elected an interim committee to get work under way on urgent projects, including the preparation of draft Rules of Association ready for our imminent incorporation. Our next meeting, to be held on Thursday, 16 July, is very important as we will be electing our full committee and adopting the Rules. Basically we will adopt the standard mode of operation for incorporated associations, the only significant departure being that two levels of membership are proposed. I would encourage you to read the proposed rules and contact either myself on 6363 1399 or Brenda Bourne on 6367 8227 prior to the meeting if you have any queries or suggestions.
Mole Creek presence on discovertasmania.com
I know you all shared our concern that, in the introduction of five marketing zones by Tourism Tasmania, Mole Creek disappeared into a 'fuzzy zone' between 3 regions and was mentioned in none of them. To date, the very good news is that Mole Creek now has its place in the Western Wilderness Zone, accessible from the home page of discovertasmania.com. Following our several letters to various tourism bodies, on Monday this week, our village was reinstated on the website, with a comprehensive description of our attractions and attributes and links to our website. This is extremely encouraging, and will hopefully be reflected in increased visitor numbers to our area.
We have been heartened by support received from Great Western Tiers Tourism Association, Meander Valley Council and Northern Tasmania Development and hope that ties forged with them and with Tourism Tasmania during these negotiations will serve to reinforce their connection with our newly formed association, a relationship which we hope will strengthen and assist us in our future endeavours. We also hope that our situation as a recognised part of the Western Wilderness zone as well as our traditional and undisputed alignment with the Great Western Tiers will translate from loss of identity in a fuzzy zone to a marketing bonus as the gateway between two important touring regions.
On the 1st of July, Brenda Bourne and I will be attending the Western Wilderness Zone review meeting which will give us an opportunity to meet other members of the zone and to assess the past year’s marketing strategy and discuss zone marketing plans for the future. This should be an interesting exercise and we look forward to reporting to you in due course.
Media promotions
In the past few months, the Mole Creek and Chudleigh area has consistently had two pages of coverage in Tasmanian tourism magazines and newspaper supplements, which is most encouraging and is bound to increase our profile to visitors to our area. One of our significant objectives must be to capitalise on the advertising investment we as individual operators are making and to look at ways in which collaborative advertising can be used to greater effect and enhance the value of our advertising dollar.
Mole Creek website
You would all have had a chance to see our website and to marvel at the growth and progress it has undergone in its short life. Thanks to all who have contributed to the website and special thanks to Paul Flood for his magnificent photos and, of course, to Brenda Bourne who continues to do an outstanding job of producing and compiling the material, developing and updating the site.
Mole Creek Visitor Information Centre
MCTA members Jane & Don Lamont of the Superb Herb will be moving premises on the 1st of July to the Rural Transaction Centre, taking over the space currently occupied by Parks and Wildlife. Jane and Don’s exciting plans include the ongoing running of the Superb Herb gift shop in this building, the commencement of a real estate office and 7 days a week operation of a Mole Creek Visitor Information Centre. This is a happy development for all concerned and we will, of course, provide them with all support possible and wish them great success in these combined ventures.
Can you help?
We would like to display our Mole Creek website for the benefit of people calling in at the Visitor Centre, so that they can see all the wonderful things to see and do around our area. If anyone has a computer and flat screen monitor which they would be prepared to lend or donate for this purpose, it would be much appreciated. It need not be high spec as it will not be used for anything else. If you can help, please call Jane on 6363 1144 or Brenda on 6367 8227.
Laurie Rose
Interim President
MCTA
26 June 2009